The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that the ongoing Middle East conflict is pushing millions of people into acute hunger, as rising fuel and food prices disrupt global supply chains. The WFP reports that 2.5 million people in Somalia, 2.3 million in Afghanistan, and 1.3 million in Sri Lanka are now struggling to meet basic food needs, exacerbating existing food insecurity. In March, the agency predicted that 45 million people could fall into food insecurity by the end of June, a projection it maintains due to sustained high oil prices and disrupted trade.
The conflict has triggered significant spillovers, particularly in fuel and food prices, which disproportionately affect vulnerable countries. WFP’s acting Executive Director Carl Skau emphasized that households in poor nations are already spending all their income on food, leaving them with no buffer against price hikes. The agency also highlighted other global hotspots, including Sudan, Gaza, southern Lebanon, Yemen, and Haiti, where food insecurity is worsening.
Funding shortages are further limiting aid efforts, with WFP facing an 89% funding gap in Somalia. The agency warns that nutritious food supplies for malnourished children under 5 in Somalia will run out by July if funding is not secured. Skau urged donors to increase support, particularly for Somalia and Afghanistan, where the humanitarian consequences of inaction could be severe.
The WFP’s report underscores that even if the Middle East crisis de-escalates, the impacts on food security will persist due to ongoing disruptions in trade and supply chains. The agency projects that an additional 2.5 million Somalis and 2.3 million Afghans could fall into food insecurity if disruptions continue, with both countries heavily reliant on imported energy and food.